seasonal natural interest

This is a three-day training on August 25, 27 & 29. Training Schedule: Tuesday, August 25, 6-8:30 pm at the SOLVE office: stewardship, watershed basics, restoration strategies, and examples. Thursday, August 27, 6-8:30 pm at the SOLVE office: community involvement, working w/ volunteers, work-party management, and leadership techniques. Saturday, August 29, 10am - 3pm: FIELD DAY - Location To Be Determined: project examples, planting techniques, invasive plant removal techniques, and native plant identification. Stream Team Captains lead volunteers on stream restoration and enhancement projects throughout the Portland-metro area. SOLVE adopts restoration sites for three to five years working with volunteers, community groups, crews, agencies and other non-profit partners to improve the health and function of stream corridors and wetlands. Stream Team Captains provide leadership, organization and supervision to volunteers for Saturday morning events. Stream Team Captains also instruct volunteers in invasive plant removal techniques and proper planting techniques while working closely with SOLVE staff to fulfill stream restoration and enhancement goals. Upon completion of this training, Stream Team Captains commit to lead at least three Team Up volunteer events involving planting native species, invasive plant removal, native plant identification, mulching, and watering. Additional training in basic botany, bioengineering, advanced classes in native and invasive plant ID, as well as winter twig ID are also available to Stream Team Captains during the course of the year.

Register online here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/stream-team-captain-training

Portland Fruit Tree Project
Fall Tree Care: Pest & Disease ID and Assessment (hands-on workshop)

Sunday October 25th, 10am-1pm
SW Portland, Multnomah neighborhood
Click here to register now

In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of fall tree care and pest and disease management in order to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of tree fruit pests and diseases in the Portland area and what you can do about them in the fall. Please bring samples of pests or diseased wood/fruit from your own trees for identification.

About the instructor: 
Heidi Noordijk studied horticulture at Michigan State University and Cornell University - specializing in pomology (tree fruits). Heidi has participated in research projects involving apple tree physiology, berry production, and tree fruit entomology. Heidi has also worked on various orchards and farms in the PNW and east coast. Heidi currently works for OSU's Small Farms program. 

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.

This workshop has a standard workshop fee of $25. Sliding scale and work-trade scholarships are available.

This workshop will be hosted by one of our registered tree owners in SW Portland, in the Multnomah neighborhood. Exact location details will be provided after you sign up.

Click here to register now

Check out our upcoming events 

Portland Fruit Tree Project 
Summer Pruning (Hands-on workshop)

Click here to register now

Wednesday July 8th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of summer pruning in order to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! Summer Pruning is a great time to de-invigorate an overgrown tree and encourage the continued development of fruiting laterals. This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of pruning cuts and when these cuts should be used.

Click here to register now 

 This workshop has a standard workshop fee of $25.00. Sliding scale options are provided for those who feel unable to contribute at that level.  In addition, a limited amount of full scholarships and work-trade scholarships are available.

This workshop will be hosted by one of our registered tree owners in Portland. Exact location details will be provided after you sign up.

Click here to register now

Day 1 (Saturday) begins with classroom discussion of general life history, anatomy, behavior, and the common species of the area, followed by field time on the grounds of Jackson Bottom observing adults, in-hand examination and looking for signs of recent emergence. Day 2 (Sunday) takes a more advanced approach to the subject of dragonflies and damselflies and is a separate registration process and fee.  Sunday begins with classroom time exploring the resources available for odonate identification and the critical examination of odonates from photos and specimens. Adult odonates will be emphasized, but the identification of nymphs/exuviae to the family level will also be discussed. Field time observing adult odonates on the grounds of Jackson Bottom with an emphasis on in-hand examination follows the classroom portion. Some time will be spent looking for nymphs. Use of binoculars, magnifying lens and cameras is encouraged.  Jim Johnson has studied the dragonflies and damselflies of the Pacific Northwest for 20 years and has taught numerous classes on the subject.  Class size limited to 20 participants each day.

Saturday Class course #:  47200     $15 / person
 

Help remove invasive plants and other outdoor habitat improvement work this summer at the beautiful Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. We will be pulling, digging, and cutting invasive wetland plants including ricefield bulrush, yellow flag iris, and indigobush. Volunteers may also help water new tree plantings as the summer progresses. No Experience Necessary.

Invasive plants threaten the health of Refuge wetlands by pushing out native plants that wildlife need for food and cover. 

Perks of joining us for our events are:

* Getting to explore areas of the refuge not usually accessible to visitors

* Learning more about local wetlands and wildlife.

* Snacks, drinks, and good company, and outstanding scenery.

* Satisfaction knowing that you are making a difference in the lives wetland plants and animals for years to come.

All work days are from 9AM - 12:30PM, Rain or shine. Wear waterproof boots and dress for the weather. Meet by the visitor kiosk in the River 'S' Unit. Gloves, snacks, and drinks will be provided to keep you fueled up. Registration is encouraged, but not required. To register or for more info contact Lynn_Cornelius@fws.gov or call (360) 887-3883.

Directions to River 'S' Unit: Take exit 14 off I-5 and head west about 2.5 miles. Turn left onto Hillhurst (9th) Ave, and continue for 3/4 mile. Entrance will be on right, drive downhill and cross wooden bridge to the visitor kiosk. All volunteers must sign a volunteer service agreement (if under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian) which will be provided at the event or can be found at: 

http://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147564588